Lenten Worship Service March 4, 2026

Services

Mar 2

Written By Highland Hills

HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH

Minden, Ontario

All are Welcome!

Lenten Worship Service & Lunch

Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward

Musician: Melissa Stephens

(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)

The Gathering

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THE APPROACH

CALL TO WORSHIP:

One: We come to church today,

ALL: as faithful disciples, following Jesus.

One: We come to church today, carrying burdens, whether visible or invisible,

ALL: seeking comfort, seeking grace, seeking community.

One: We come to church today, knowing that our hope lies in the merciful love of God, the salvation of Jesus Christ, and the mighty power of the Holy Spirit,

ALL: and so, we come, we connect, and we worship.

Written by Sandra Jenkinson, Sundridge P.C. and Trout Creek, P.C. Sundrisge, Ont.

Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2024-2025, p.30. Used with permission.

HYMN: “Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights” VU #108

1 Throughout these Lenten days and nights

we turn to walk the inward way,

where, meeting Christ, our guide and light,

we live in hope till Easter Day.

2 The pilgrim Christ, the Lamb of God,

who found in weakness greater power,

embraces us, though lost and flawed,

and leads us to his Rising Hour.

3 We bear the silence, cross and pain

of human burdens, human strife,

while sisters, brothers help sustain

our courage till the Feast of Life.

4 And though the road is hard and steep,

the Spirit ever calls us on through

Calvary's dying, dark and deep,

until we see the coming Dawn.

5 So let us choose the path of One

who wore, for us, the crown of thorn,

and slept in death that we might wake

to life on Resurrection Morn!

6 Rejoice, O sons and daughters! Sing

and shout hosannas! Raise the strain!

For Christ, whose death Good Friday brings

on Easter Day will rise again!

OPENING PRAYER: Responsively

One: Lead us into the Season of Lent, O God;

ALL: help us reflect on the areas of our lives that call for change.

One: Go with us into the Season of Lent, O God;

ALL: strengthen us, as we join our talents with the talents of our faith community.

One: Guide us as we begin the Season of Lent, O God.

ALL: Link us to the story of Jesus, that we may learn and find courage through his willingness to brave the toughest trials.

One: Challenge us as we encounter the significance of the Season of Lent, O God,

ALL: that we may confront and overcome the powers that oppress, weaken, and destroy. Amen.

Written by David Sparks, Summerland, B.C.

Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2024-2025, p.31. Used with permission.

HYMN: “In The Garden”

1 I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses. Refrain

Refrain: And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing. Refrain

3 I’d stay in the garden with Him,

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling. Refrain

THE WORD

Scripture: Psalm 22: 25-31

Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE:

“The Lord of All Life”

OUR RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and

THE LORD’S PRAYER: (spoken VU #921)

HYMN: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” VU #142

1 Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary's mountain.

Refrain In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

2 Near the cross, a trembling soul,

love and mercy found me;

there the bright and morning star

sheds its beams around me. Refrain

3 Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

bring its scenes before me;

help me walk from day to day

with its shadow o'er me. Refrain

4 Near the cross I'll watch and wait,

hoping, trusting ever,

till I reach the golden strand

just beyond the river. Refrain

SENDING FORTH & GRACE:

Highland Hills